Unlike what buyers often believe, budget projectors can be just as good as premium projectors.

If you are also looking for the best projector under $1000, you’ve landed at the right place.

Given the massive number of choices you have, finding the best projector that fits your budget and has all the required features can be challenging. To save your efforts, we have reviewed a few of the best-selling projectors under $1000.

Best Projector under $1000 – Top 3 Picks

1. Viewsonic PX701-4K

The Viewsonic PX701-4K is the most feature-packed and best 4K projector under $1000 on our list. It is an all-rounder projector for home theater, gaming, sports, and office presentations. Under $1000, it is hard to find a projector like the Viewsonic PX701-4K.

It is a DLP projector that offers native 3840 x 2160p 4K resolution through pixel-shifting technology. It supports modern technologies like HDR10 and HLG to offer you an excellent experience while watching HDR-supported content like movies, TV shows, and sports.

On the design front, the Viewsonic PX701-4K looks very simple, and it’s hard to differentiate it from its budget-oriented projectors. This type of simple design choice also helps to keep the price low. It comes in a rectangular-shaped white casing with rounded edges. The overall body is compact and weighs slightly over 6 pounds. As a result, you can easily carry this projector and take it anywhere with you.

Within a compact casing, the projector lamp can produce up to 3200 ANSI lumens brightness. With such high brightness, you can comfortably use this projector during the daytime, and it’s bright enough to use in a room with ambient lighting.

The most significant selling point of Viewsonic PX701-4K is its gaming prowess. This projector offers a whopping 240Hz refresh rate with a mind-numbing 4.2ms response time at a very affordable price. This feature alone makes it the best gaming projector under $1000.

However, to get the full 240Hz refresh rate experience, you’ll need an HDMI cable that supports HDMI 2.1 interface. Otherwise, on an HDMI 2.0 interface, this projector supports up to 120Hz refresh rate, and the response time drops down to 8.4ms.

While this projector is packed with features, it lags in the connectivity options. It only comes with 2x HDMI 2.0 ports with HDCP 2.2, USB 2.0 Type-A port, RS-232 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. To take full advantage of this projector, you can connect your primary device like computer, cable TV, Xbox, or PlayStation to one HDMI port. On the other port, you can connect a streaming media player and access a plethora of content.

In addition, the Viewsonic PX701-4K claims to offer up to 20,000 hours of lamp life. However, you can only achieve such a long life if you use the projector in Super Eco mode. This mode drops down the projector brightness from 3200 lumens to 750-1000 lumens depending on the video modes like Brightest, Gaming, Movie, Sports, and Standard.

The only grime I have is the color accuracy, which is slightly off out-of-the-box. Although, you can quickly correct it by doing slight calibration. Suppose you’re confused about how to calibrate this projector correctly. In that case, you can take a look at this article, which displays the correct calibration settings for Viewsonic PX701-4K.

The Viewsonic PX701-4K offers other features like:

• 12,000:1 contrast ratio
• 1.1x zoom lens
• ±40° vertical and horizontal keystone adjustment
• 10-watt speaker
• Screen correction for projection on curved surfaces
• 3-year warranty

2. BenQ MH733

The BenQ MH733 is a well-packaged office and educational projector made with portability in mind. If you need a powerful and feature-rich projector you can easily carry around anywhere with you, then this projector will be an appropriate pick.

It comes in a compact casing with a predominantly white color. The projector weighs 5.5 pounds and is capable of producing up to 4000 lumens brightness. With such high brightness, you can easily use it during the daytime, making it the best business projector under $1000.

In terms of specs, the BenQ MH733 offers a native resolution of 1920 x 1080p and 16,000:1 contrast ratio. The high contrast ratio ensures you get vibrant colors that will pop onto the screen.

What makes this projector ideal for business and office use is BenQ’s QCast App. Using the app and a wireless dongle (sold separately), you can take advantage of features like split-screen, multiple screens from multiple devices, meeting control, effortless mobile device, or computer display. Moreover, the QCast app can also act as a remote control for the projector.

Being a lamp-based projector, lamp life is a concerning factor. However, BenQ claims that the lamp in MH733 can last up to 15,000 hours if used in LampSave mode. Moreover, you also get features like Eco Blank Mode and auto power off, which activates after 3 minutes and 20 minutes. These features improve the lamp life and make it last longer.

This projector also offers features like 2D Keystone Correction and Corner Fit. With 2D Keystone Correction, you can get an even picture even if the projector placement isn’t in the dead-center of the projection screen. Moreover, the Corner Fit feature allows you to adjust 4 corners of the projected image manually.

In terms of connectivity, you get a plethora of options making sure you can connect with newer and older devices without any issues. You get:

• 2x HDMI ports (1 port offers MHL support)
• USB Type-A port
• VGA port
• D-Sub Monitor Out port
• USB Mini-B port
• RS-232 port
• LAN port
• USB Type-A port for Wireless Dongle
• Audio In and Audio Out port

As you can see, BenQ has left no stone unturned in making the BenQ MH733 the best business projector under $1000 when it comes to connectivity options. In addition, the projector also comes with a 10W speaker loud enough to fill an entire conference room.

3. BenQ TK800M

The BenQ TK800M is the second best 4K projector under $1000 on our list. While the above-mentioned Viewsonic PX701-4K targets an all-around usage; the BenQ TK800M is meant for budget-oriented home theater setup.

The biggest differentiating factor for the BenQ TK800M is its bright cyan-colored face, making it stand out from the slew of other completely white or black-colored projectors.

Being one of the best movie projectors under $1000, the BenQ TK800M has several connectivity options. It includes audio input and output jack, VGA port, 2x HDMI ports with one port offering HDCP 2.2 support, USB Mini-B port, RS-232 port, USB Type-A port, and 12V trigger.

Wireless connectivity options are missing; however, you can quickly get them by buying a cost-effective Amazon Fire TV Stick or Roku Stick and get options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Smart TV-like features.

With 3000 lumens brightness, the BenQ TK800M offers incredible brightness output. Hence, other than home theater, you can keep it in your living and use it during the daytime. You can effortlessly replace your TV with such high brightness, making the BenQ TK800M best home projector under $1000.

Compared to BenQ TK800, the BenQ TK800M offers improved features like:

• Sharper Lens
• Improved Color Accuracy
• Higher Throw Ratio
• Updated DLP Chip
• Support for HDR and HLG technologies

Other than this, you also get features like 96% Rec.709 color space coverage, 3D Compatibility, 1.5-1.65 throw ratio, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, and automatic keystone correction. The only downside is its weight, as the BenQ TK800M is pretty hefty at 9.2 lbs.

If you want to set up a cost-effective home theater, I’d surely recommend getting this projector. With its 4K native resolution, an improved lens, and updated DLP chip, the colors look incredibly vibrant in a light-controlled room, and it’s easy to forget you’re sitting in your house while using it.

Due to its excellent performance, I’d suggest the BenQ TK800M as the best home theater projector under $1000. Although for a slightly higher price, you can also get the BenQ HT3550, which offers higher color accuracy, enhanced contrast in darker scenes, and a 3-Year warranty.

4. Epson Pro EX9220

With advanced technology and integrated features, the Epson Pro EX9220 can easily be considered one of the best living room projector under $1000. The high lumens value of the projector ensures a stable and consistent brightness, even in well-lit environments.

The Epson Pro EX9220 is a widescreen, wireless FHD display and pro-quality 3LCD projector one supporting. It comes with a 3600 lumens brightness, offering the perfect balance between colors and contrast. It also has a vertical keystone.

The pro-quality projector has a native resolution of 1920 x 1080p, which provides up to 4.5x more resolution than SVGA for streaming full HD content. Another great feature of this projector is its wireless mirroring or Miracast support.

You can easily mirror the display from your smartphone or tablet using the Miracast feature of the projector. However, for Android/Windows 8.1+/iOS, you need to install AirPlay to use it.

Moreover, you do not need to plug your laptop or tablet to the projector, as you can directly connect to other devices with wireless connectivity options. The Epson Pro EX9220 projector also supports wireless data transfer or charging using the MHL connectivity option making it the best business projector under $1000.

The projector has a quick and easy setup; you only need to scan the QR code on your phone or tablet to quickly connect it. For its other connectivity options, the projector supports HDMI, which is compatible with most media players as well as laptops.

No doubt, the Epson Pro EX9220 projector is most often revered as one of the best projectors for office spaces.

5. Optoma HD39HDR

Optoma is best known for its 3D DLP projectors. Optoma provides exceptional features and performance, even in budget devices. The Optoma HD39HDR projector is one such projector that is packed with undeniably great features. If you want the best 3D projector under $1000, then the Optoma HD39HDR will be an ideal pick.

The Optoma HD39HDR projector comes with HDR10 display technology with 4K input. It offers brilliant picture quality with brighter whites and deeper blacks for an unmatched viewing experience.

The 6-segment color wheel produces accurate and true-to-life colors using the sRGB & REC.709 color profiles. The incredible 4000 lumens value only makes it better during daytime viewing.

With a high lumens rating, whether you would like to watch something outdoor or indoor, the brightness is stable and perfect. It has a contrast ratio of 50000:1, which offers a dynamic brightness and picture quality.

The projector offers a true 3D display from any 3D source, including 3D broadcasting, gaming consoles, Blue-ray disc players, etc. It has a rapid refresh rate of 120 Hz, which provides flicker-free images in 3D.

The projector also comes with an enhanced gaming mode that works at breakneck speed, given the response time of 8.4ms and 120 Hz refresh rate. You can enjoy a lag-free gaming experience.

It comes with extensive connectivity options. It supports HDMI 2.0, HDMI 1.4a, VGA, audio-in and out, and USB-A. With these options, you can easily connect the projector to other devices such as gaming consoles, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV Stick and more.

The Optoma HD39HDR projector offers up to 15000 hours of lamp life, which is exceptional compared to most other available projectors in this range. It has an easy and quick installation with the 1.3x zoom and vertical keystone that allows you to place the projector at your convenience.

6. Epson Epiqvision Mini EF12

If you’re looking for the best laser projector under $1000, then it’s hard to beat the Epson Epiqvision Mini EF12. Laser projection is a pricey technology, yet Epson has included it in a portable projector and is priced at less than $1000.

While the Epson markets the Epiqvision Mini EF12 as a portable projection, the device is quite hefty at 4.7 lbs. Most portable projectors weigh less than 3 lbs. The majority of its weight comes from the integrated Yamaha speaker system on top of the projector. It has a cuboidal design that measures 6.9 x 6.9 x 5 inches in width, depth, and height.

With the integrated Yamaha speakers, you get excellent audio quality without connecting an external speaker system. While built-in speakers on most projectors suck, the ones on the Epson Epiqvision Mini EF12 are a worthwhile investment.

This projector is built into two parts; the lower part consists of the projector, whereas the upper deck contains the entire speaker system, including two speakers and an amplifier for wider sound.

Along with the speakers, this projector also comes with an Android TV built-in. As a result, you can use the Epson Epiqvision Mini EF12 as a standalone projector system without connecting an external device. Being a smart projector, the EF12 is a plug-and-play system.

It means you can store the projector when not in use and when you want to use it, here’s what to do. Just start the projector, and it will do automatic keystone correction, focusing, and corner adjustment without any manual intervention. Moreover, Epson also offers a bracket within the box to either ceiling mount or tripod mount this projector.

In terms of performance and picture quality, the Epson Epiqvision Mini EF12 excels by a considerable margin. The amalgamation of Epson 3LCD projection technology and laser backlighting ensures you get a sharp and detailed image output with exceptional picture quality. The only downside is the 1000 lumens maximum brightness; hence, you’ll need a moderately dark room for comfortable watching.

For the price, you get native Full HD resolution, which measures 1920 x 1080p, making it the best 1080p projector under $1000. It can also play 4K content but by downscaling it to 1080p resolution.

7. BenQ TH671ST

The BenQ TH671ST is one of the must-mention as the best short throw projector under $1000. BenQ has always used innovative technologies and delivered products at pretty reasonable pricing.

The projector offers up to 100 inches wide screen at 1.5 meters. It comes with built-in speakers, which provides a personalized experience for cinema, sports, and other gaming purposes.

You can simply place it on your coffee table and enjoy the cinematic experience without the hassle of ceiling-mounting.

The projector has a considerably lower input lag and ensures you get a smooth gaming experience.

It comes with an ultra-fast microsecond DMD chip, which removes any chances of lag or motion blurring. It supports 3D in Full HD mode, with a native contrast ratio of 15000:1.

With a high 3000 ANSI lumens value, the projector ensures a consistent brightness even in bright or well-lit living rooms. BenQ uses LumiExpert technology, which provides a comfortable viewing experience in any light setting, whether dark or well-lit. The higher brightness clubbed with comfortable viewing experience makes the BenQ TH671ST as the best 3D projector under $1000.

This new and advanced technology detects the lighting conditions of the room or environment and adjusts the brightness accordingly.

Moreover, the DLP display technology ensures razor-sharp images with true-to-life and accurate color representation. The image and picture quality is unmatched with the six-segment color wheels.

It also supports watch-and-play content with several connectivity options like dual HDMI inputs and compatibility with Google Chromecast, Amazon FireStick, Apple TV, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch even Wi-Fi dongles.

The lamp life is about 10000 hours, which you can increase with the Smart Eco mode. Also, BenQ ensures that the picture quality does not deteriorate with time, with its unique approach to making durable projectors with no dust build-up or heat damage.

Even though this projector is placed at 7th place doesn’t mean it’s a sub-standard projector. The BenQ TH671ST is one of the best projector under $1000 considering hundreds of options available in the market.

Now that we’ve gone through the list of 7 Best Projector under $1000.

Now, let’s go about what to look for or consider when buying a budget projector.

4 Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Projector under $1000

We have all the more reason to look for the right features when we have a budget constraint. Whether you are looking for the best high lumen projector or the best projector for sports, consider the below points before investing in one.

1. Resolution

Depending on the purpose of the projector, you can look for the resolution. Like for presentations or educational purposes, 720 pixels works just fine as you do not need very high resolution.

However, suppose the projector is primarily used for gaming or entertainment. The bare minimum should be 1080p, if you’re shelling out close to $1000.

In our list of best projector under $1000, we’ve only mentioned projectors with 1080p projectors and a couple of the best 4K projector under $1000.

2. Lumens Value or Brightness

The lumens value is the brightness of the projector. Though it is always preferable to have better illumination, you can choose based on your comfort. For business or school purposes, 3000+ lumens rating is good enough for daylight viewing.

For watching movies, gaming, and other entertainment purposes – up to 2200 lumens are good enough for viewing in a moderately dim room.

3. Display Technology

Most projectors under $1000 have either 3LCD or DLP display technology. While DLP technology is slightly over the budget compared to 3LCD, both deliver good enough picture quality. 3LCD projectors are produced by Epson and generally heavier than DLP ones due to extra lenses used to produce an image.

The display technology is also responsible for the contrast and aspect ratio, which is an essential criterion to consider.

Most projectors in the market have a 16:9 aspect ratio which delivers the area of the video image that you would like to project. For the contrast ratio, always remember the higher the contrast ratio, the better the image quality.

If you’re confused between a DLP and 3LCD projector, I’d suggest going with a projector with 3LCD projection technology.

4. Throw Distance

The throw distance is one of the essential features to consider in a projector. In simple words, throw distance is approximately the distance you can place the projector from the wall.

Most projectors under $1000 are long throw distance projectors, which offer up to 100-inch from 10-12 feet. However, you can also get some of the best short throw projectors under $1000 like the BenQ TH671ST mentioned above.

Alongside, there are few short throw projectors as well offering the same screen size from a distance of less than 5 feet.

Conclusion

As mentioned above, the best projectors do not always need to be the most expensive ones. But, picking the right one can often become a complicated task even with all the details at hand. If you are still confused and do not know which one to go for, we have a quick suggestion.

If you’re still confused, go with our #1 pick i.e., Viewsonic PX701-4K, which offers a brighter image, superb gaming performance and native 4K resolution that helps in future-proofing.

If your main requirement is gaming, then the Optoma HD39HDR or Benq TH671ST are meant specifically for gaming.

If you need something for living room or home theater use, then the BenQ TK800M or Epson Eqiqvision MIni EF12 are an ideal pick.

Whereas, if you want the best business projector under $1000, then you shouldn’t look past the BenQ MH733 or the Epson Pro EX9220 projector.

If you questions regarding the best projector under $1000, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment section below.

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